Native American History for Kids

Gr 5—8—In an attractive format containing eight chapters, the text of this comprehensive look at Native tribes covers origin theories, Southwestern tribes, East Coast tribes, participation in Anglo wars, the Plains Indians, the destruction of the Native American cultures, and the resurgence of tribal rights and cultural pride. Each chapter contains a lucid summation of the topic under consideration, augmented with black-and-white illustrations and a craft or project tied into the subject matter. For example, "Fighting the White Man's Wars" discusses the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the war history of the nations of the Southeast. Sidebars cover the origin of scalping, Native American slavery, and brief biographies of notable individuals. The project for this chapter gives step-by-step instructions for constructing a model trading post. The background and instructions for all projects are admirably clear and well laid out for either students working alone or for class projects. This title is particularly well suited for classroom use. It is an excellent introduction to a vast and often ignored history.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary School, Tacoma, WA